Japanese Fire Fighters tell families "We won't be coming home"

[karloss01]

I'm finding it hard to describe what I feel right now that hasn't been mentioned already. I've put my life on the line on two occasions but actually sacrificing yourself so that others live is beyond that.

 

[Alexnader]

They aren't firefighters. They're technicians, which makes this effect me even more. I doubt heroism was ever part of their job description.

 

[Watchmacallit]

Oh wow...That would be the most horrific phone call you could ever get.

 

[PortalThinker113]

Wow...
My heart goes out to these brave people that are giving everything that they have for their families, friends, loved ones, and country. People like them- so compassionate and ready to do whatever it takes to save others- show so much bravery and courage... This is how good people can be if they just care about others. God Bless these brave souls- I can only hope and pray that they might be able to make it through this after all.

 

[Mechsoap]

Wow... I cant even begin to fathom the huge sacrifice they're making... They're like grey wardens in my eyes.

 

[Hader]

I don't know what all to say really, I don't think it's my place. But this is a shining example of courage.

 

[OldGus]

...title of firefighter...

I wonder if the reporter is bunching up the technicians remaining at the power station, the Fukushima fifty [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12779510], with the 180 or so firefighters [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12791098] (jump to approx 1:07) from tokyo who volunteered to go to Fukushima power plant.

In any case, powerful stuff, stuff that legends are made of. Vaya con dios.

Makes sense that way. Still not agreeable for various reasons. And thanks for the vid, actually. Nice to see that, at least reputable reporting in English trying not to blow it out of proportion, especially with the reality check at the end there.

 

[xXDeMoNiCXx]

These guys are heroes, no less.

 

[Elvoret]

How brave...

 

[Tdc2182]

There is just no words to describe this.

Everything shitty in my life seems small now.

Holy crap. Good luck to all of them.

 

[GenericAmerican]

Well what can I say? You have to respect the Japanese, I highly doubt anything like this would happen in America.

 

[Jadak]

This is a massively courageous thing of them to do, but is there honestly no safer way to do it?

Kind of my first thought to, you'd think with modern technology (hell, even old technology), they'd be able to devise a means of spraying something with water without requiring people being there at all times.

 

[Jamous]

Jesus Christ those men have Discipline. My "prayers" go out to them.

I like the way you invoke Jesus then put 'prayers' in inverted commas to show you are not an actual Christian.


-SNIP-

Yeah, it tends to be used as a general exclamation. I really couldn't think of any term better than prayers though. :/

 

[DeeWiz]

For those of you that haven't heard:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Fukushima-Nuclear-Plant-Workers-Are-Heroes-After-Risking-Own-Lives-To-Avert-Meltdown-In-Japan/Article/201103315954904?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15954904_Fukushima_Nuclear_Plant_Workers_Are_Heroes_After_Risking_Own_Lives_To_Avert_Meltdown_In_Japan_

A number of Japanese firefighters have essentially volunteered for a suicide corps to save Japan. These men have volunteered to stay at the reactor site to continually douse it with water to keep it cool and stable. The radiation levels are so high that these poor men are expected to start dropping dead within the next few weeks, despite any radiation suits. Some have started losing their hair already.

These men called their families today and told them that they loved them, and that this was their final goodbye to their wives and children.

My heart goes out to these brave, brave men. Men that are giving their lives in order to save Japan. I can only imagine the trauma and despair that the families are going through.

In short, this thread is a memorial to the brave souls that have volunteered to die to save their country and loved ones.

Actually the great tragedy is the scare tactics and straight up lying most of the foreign news is reporting, foreign to me anyway - I live in Tokyo. No no one is being sent to die, there is no risk of the reactors blowing up (not that kind of a reactor). The problem is rotating shift while keeping the workers exposed to less than 100mSv at a time, (thats the amount the human body safely flushes away with no ill effect). The international standard for "averting major nuclear escalation: 500 mSv" -the pubs are available. Japan has its own limits of 250 mSv total, and anyone exposure to more than 100 mSv/hour is not allowed back. So no, no one is dieing or being sent to their deaths. Is it a bad situation, yes, but so is trapped coal miners and all other activities designed to provide you a better life. So far no one has died from trying to stop a meltdown (which does not throw fallout into the air or other such nonsense) and more poeple have died making iphones than in these rescue efforts.

TL;DR News is lying to you.

 

[RabbidKuriboh]

these are some real life heroes, lets hope they get the recognition they deserve

I salute you men, you represent the best of humanity

 

[geoff900]

Sacrificing yourself for the good of others, is the most commendable thing you can do.

Makes me think there is still good in humanity afteral.

 

[Nixzilla]

my heart goes out to them good luck and godspeed